For some couples, Pelotonia bike event is a tandem effort

Amy Saunders, The Columbus Dispatch

Tuesday

Aug 6, 2013 at 12:01 AMAug 6, 2013 at 1:08 PM

Many married couples who ride a bicycle built for two know the tandem by another nickname: the "divorcycle." Some take months ??to master tandem timing, balance and communication, leaving plenty of opportunities for falls, mistakes and back-seat-driver arguments.

Many married couples who ride a bicycle built for two know the tandem by another nickname: the "divorcycle."

Some take months to master tandem timing, balance and communication, leaving plenty of opportunities for falls, mistakes and back-seat-driver arguments.

With the stronger person, generally the man, as the decision-making "captain" in the front, the rear rider has to relinquish control. Unable to steer or see straight ahead, the "stoker" has to trust her partner.

Such an activity might ruin a marriage - or strengthen it.

For at least three couples, tandem riding has become a bonding experience - especially as they train to pedal for up to 180 miles on Saturday and Sunday in the fifth annual Pelotonia.

Organizers don't track the number of tandems in the cycling fund-raiser, but they represent a rarity - probably fewer than 10 in the field of more than 6,600.The event has raised almost $52 million for the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

For these couples, all with close connections to cancer, the event is even more moving when shared:

Al Ball & Donna Bowshier Ball

Ages: 56 and 59

Residence: Westerville

Pelotonia distance: to Gambier and back (180 miles)

Cycling had always been Al's hobby, not Donna's.

She used to last only a few miles on a bike before her bottom became sore and her hands went numb.

Her attitude changed when she reclined in the cushioned seat of a friend's tandem recumbent, with her arms at her sides as she manned the controls under the seat.

'"If we could find one of these, I would ride with you,'" she told her husband three years ago. "I had never said that before."

The Balls then purchased a tandem recumbent that an older couple had used to tour national parks. In its 18th year, the bike will soon make its Pelotonia debut.

The couple has been part of Pelotonia since it began in 2009, hosting an annual fundraiser at their home, where Al's bluegrass band plays on the garage roof.

Al, who survived testicular cancer first as a college senior in 1979 and again 14 years later, has biked in three of the four rides.

Donna volunteered, becoming emotional as she thought of her husband, who "graduated" from oncologist care only last year.

The Balls look forward to experiencing Pelotonia together as part of their new shared lifestyle, which involves about 12 hours of tandem biking a week. After a ride, they often continue the teamwork as they cook dinner together.

"Really," Donna said, "that's kind of the way our relationship has always been."

Mark & Karen Rossi

Ages: 53 and 56

Residence: Pickerington

Pelotonia distance: to Gambier and back

The couple known as "Team Rossi" don't have to use commands or make announcements when shifting gears: After eight years of riding tandem and 30 years of marriage, they just know.

"She almost senses what I'm about to do, and I can sense when she lets up on the pedals," Mark said.

"Or if he's tired, I can feel it," Karen said. "We've been married a long time."

For many years, the couple rode single bikes together - sort of. Karen skipped food breaks in an effort to keep up with Mark, who rode so much faster that he often circled back to his wife or waited for her in a parking lot. The tandem bike, an anniversary gift, evened out the pace and became their preferred ride.

Initially worried about her lack of control, Karen enjoys being the self-described "parade queen" on the back of the tandem. She waves to people and rings a bell, sometimes answering a cellphone or reading a map.

The Rossis have ridden the full distance in every Pelotonia, dedicating each ride to someone lost to cancer: the first year, Mark's mother; this year, a friend's 24-year-old daughter who died of colon cancer.

Looking off to the side as they pedal, Karen tells her husband about sights along the course, moved by spectators holding signs in their driveways: Thank you for riding for my wife.

"With Pelotonia, it's a group experience," she said. "I'd never want to do it completely alone."

Drs. Steven G. Gabbe & Patricia Temple Gabbe

Ages: 68 and 71

Residence: Bexley

Pelotonia distance: to New Albany (50 miles)

On a weeklong vacation in Oregon last month, the Gabbes rode a tandem bike nearly every day, taking a 20-mile trip through the mountains to celebrate their 32nd anniversary.

They couldn't have imagined the lifestyle several years ago: Neither had ridden a bike since being in school.

When Pelotonia was announced, the Gabbes knew they would participate - Steve is CEO of the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State; Pat is a clinical professor of pediatrics - but didn't want training to cut into their already-limited time together.

The tandem became a perfect solution, with the couple riding the Alum Creek Trail near their home on weekends and taking turns on the stationary bike during the week.

After finishing 25 miles in the first Pelotonia and 50 miles in later rides, Steve said, "One of these years, we're going to ride farther."

"We are?" exclaimed his wife, laughing. "Steve!"

As they grow tired toward the finish line, they think of the cancer patients they've known through OSU and throughout their lives.Steve's mother and grandmother faced cancer; Pat will dedicate her ride to a friend who died of breast cancer last year.

"There isn't a time we finish the 50 miles," Steve said, "when we don't have tears in our eyes."

asaunders@dispatch.com

@amyksaunders

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